Description
A.L.E.G. is an organization working on the issue of gender-based violence since 2004. We will have the chance to develop through the project “My Body belongs to me” Sexual Violence among Youth: Awareness Raising and Counseling Center” new competences and will test new working methods with the help of the partner Stigamot from Iceland. An exchange visit in Iceland funded under the NGO Fund confirmed that youth are a key category at risk. Therefore the project has the objective to increase the access of youth at risk to information on sexual violence and to provide specialist support services to victims of sexual violence. 700 youth in Sibiu and Mureş counties will become better informed and aware in order to recognize and avoid an abuse, 50 professionals will be made aware in order to refer victims to support services without double victimization, 30 victims will be provided through the pilot center specialist support services in line with the standards of the new Directive 2012/29/EU for victims of crime.
Summary of project results
7% of women in Romania disclosed having suffered sexual violence. Gender-sensitive services on the issue of sexual violence are required by European legislation but Romania is not yet ensuring them. At global level, youth is a vulnerable group, but, in Romania, the lack of wide access to sexual education in schools increases youth vulnerability. The project managed to increase the access of young people at risk to information about sexual violence as a form of gender-based violence, while ensuring an effect of multiplication through the partnerships created and the information material generated and widely disseminated. A model for integrated specialized assistance to survivors of sexual violence (information, legal and psychological support) was developed based on good practices from Stigamot partner (Iceland), piloted and integrated in the regular services of the promoter. The working methods and recommendations for policy makers and other service providers were widely shared. Over 1000 students (12 communities in 4 counties) benefited from information sessions and materials on sexual violence (including an educational film) within the Caravan „My Body belongs to me”. Over 60% changed their perception about sexual violence and know how to act for prevention and where to turn for support. In each local community the caravan raised awareness of 106 professionals (policemen, social workers, priests, etc) on victims’ rights in line with EU legislation. Over 50% learned new aspects related to gender-based violence and over 40% gained abilities to identify and refer victims for support. A counselling center using innovative methods like online counselling was accessed by 135 beneficiaries, of which over 90% women and girls. They received information and counselling to recognize if they are in an abusive situation, understand the specific forms, causes and effects of sexual violence, learn about and access their rights. A number of 8 survivors accessed justice and benefited from legal aid, as well as long term psychological support to overcome trauma. The center continues to be the only service of this kind specialised for victims of sexual violence. The outcomes were disseminated in project events as well as in the national working group initiated by the promoter and the network “Breaking the Silence on Sexual Violence”, to develop legislation for establishing rape crisis centers in cooperation with the Superior Council of Magistracy.
Summary of bilateral results
A.L.E.G. developed two projects funded under the NGO Fund in cooperation with Stigamot, an organisation from Iceland. The two organisations established the details of their formal partnerships during a study visit that took place in 2013. The main achievements of the partnership with Stigamot under Welfare Component was the transfer of expertise and best practices for the project’s work on the issue of sexual violence, both in prevention and in support services for survivors. In a project under Networks and Coalitions Component, the cooperation focused on establishing the first NGO network in Romania advocating for improved public policies on combating sexual violence. Two Stigamot experts with over 20 years of experience in this field trained the project team and the staff of the pilot counselling center. They also shared their extensive experience on the issue of sexual violence in project events attended by Romanian public and private social service providers, local authorities and government representatives. They focused on combating victim-blaming, involving men and boys in prevention work and promoting the importance of independent services provided by women’s NGOs for survivors and the need for the state to help finance these services.